The removal of n-nitrosodimethylamine formation potential in drinking water treatment plants

Habibullah Uzun, Daekyun Kim, Tanju Karanfil*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A long-term (>18 months), systematic investigation was conducted to examine (1) the removal of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) formation potential (FP) by different treatment processes under various operational conditions at nine water treatment plants in South Carolina, and (2) the occurrence of NDMA in their distributions systems. Average NDMA FP removal by alum clarification ranged from 12 to 30% during different seasons and weather conditions. Powdered activated carbon addition improved the removal of NDMA FP, especially at high doses (>4 mg/L). The use of oxidants (i.e., chlorine [Cl2] and chlorine dioxide [ClO2]), especially simultaneous application, enhanced the removal of NDMA FP and lowered the NDMA concentration in the distribution systems to <10 ng/L. However, simultaneous application of ClO2 and Cl2 led to the formation of elevated levels of chlorate. The average NDMA FP reduction by reverse osmosis and microfiltration was 81 and 7%, respectively. The overall NDMA FP removal efficiencies between raw and finished water ranged between 40 and 59%.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)15-28
Number of pages14
JournalJournal - American Water Works Association
Volume109
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2017
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 American Water Works Association.

Keywords

  • Alum clarification
  • Disinfection by-products
  • Membranes
  • NDMA
  • Oxidation
  • PAC

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